There is always something new to learn...

This past weekend I had the awesome opportunity to go down to Brooklyn, NY for a day long group mentor session hosted by photographer, Danielle Finney of DFinney Photography based in Washington, DC. NY is one of my favorite places to visit and when I learned that this mentor session would be hosted in the city I couldn't let the opportunity pass me!

The mentor session was full of wisdom, personal experience, hands on help and tons of laughs. In addition to leaving with tools to take better natural light photographs, I also left encouraged to continue to pursue my dreams!

Giving up is an option and regardless of how difficult the journey may seem I have decided that I will stand firm and I will not quit. I believe God has given me this gift to share the beauty of His creation through photography and I believe that He has equipped me with the tools and resources to do just that. I am thankful for this humble beginning and I look forward to all that is to come!

I would definitely recommend this mentor session to anyone looking learn more about natural light!

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'.

--Erma Bombeck 

Reflecting on the beach...

Every summer without fail I look forward to laying out at the beach. Give me a clean patch of warm sand, warm weather and cool water and I am content. This summer was no different but unfortunately I didn't really have a chance to enjoy the beach as much as I wanted to. A busy schedule kept me away from the beach but luckily my vacation day fell on a perfectly hot summer day and I was able to spend the day at Nantasket Beach with my some of my family.

One of my favorite parts about being at the beach is walking along the shore. I love watching the imprints made by walking along the wet sand. And just as quickly as my footprints appear they are overtaken by the water lapping against the shore..essentially erasing all signs that I had just been there. Why do I love such a random and routine occurrence? Because it reminds me so much of the blood of Christ washing away our sins. No matter how much you try to leave a dent in the sand...the water always washes away your print. The water cleanses the sand just like the blood of Christ cleanses us of our sin. It leaves me speechless knowing that even though we still struggle with sin and we make bad decisions knowing the consequences God still loves us. Christ came not to condemn the world but to save it and regardless of how much of a mess we may have made (past, present and future) His blood is still able to make us new.

So the next time you think that your mistakes have disqualified you from the work of the kingdom of God, understand that God has already forgiven you and loves you too much to leave you as you are. Remember that you are cleansed of your sin and you are victorious in Jesus name!

Be blessed!